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The Early Chronology of Nepal

By K. G. Sankar

Vol. 11 · No. 2June - 1935pp. 304–312English

Summary

Re-examining early Nepalese history, the author critiques earlier chronologies based on unreliable Vamsavalis and misdated inscriptions. After reviewing inscriptions dated in Vikrama, Harsha and Nepal Samvats, he proposes a revised sequence of early kings, beginning with Vṛsadeva (c.350 A.D.) and ending with Gunakamadeva (c.683 A.D.). Kings like Śaṅkaradeva, Dharmadeva, Māṇadeva I, Mahīdeva, Vasantadeva, Udayadeva, Dhruvadeva, Māṇadeva II, Śivadeva I & II and Narendradeva are assigned approximate dates based on reinterpreted eras. The article situates the Lichchhavi rulers amid shifts of power and notes how prime ministers like Amshuvarman sometimes eclipsed the monarch. By anchoring dates to inscriptional evidence rather than later chronicles, the study clarifies Nepal’s interactions with India and Tibet.

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Conclusion

Through critical analysis of inscriptional dates and dynastic lists, the author establishes a coherent chronology for early Nepalese kings. This rectifies earlier errors, places the Lichchhavi dynasty in proper temporal context and facilitates comparison with contemporary Indian and Tibetan events.

Key passages

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  • “Recently, T had cceasion 10 study all these inscriptions afresh, 30 cennection with the determination of true epoch of the Gupta era, and have arrived at certain positive eonclusions, which are જહાં forih in this paper.”

Works cited in this article

  1. Journey in Nepal
  2. Cunningham: Awncient Geoyraphy of India, Caleutta 1924, p. 646
  3. St-yu-ki, tr. 5. Beal, vol. 1, p. 81
  4. Le Nepal, vol. 1, pp. GO, 165, 166
  5. Ind. Ant., vol. IX, p. 171

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In this issue

Vol. 11 · No. 2
199–210The Harmika and the Origin of Buddhist StupasJean Przyluski211–222The Date of the First Maurya EmperorSourindra Nath Ray223–240Kingship and Nobility in the 13th CenturyAnil Chandra Banerjee241–252The Seleucidan Emperors: their Coins and Coin-imitations in IndiaSurendra Kishore Chakraborty253–264Mir Qasim's ArmyNandlal Chatterji265–286The Smrti-chapters of the Kurma-PuranaRajendra Chandra Hazra287–299The Birth-place of BhavabhutiV. V. Mirashi300–303Tekkali Copper-plate Grant of Devendra VarmaL. H. Jagadeb Rajabahadur304–312The Early Chronology of NepalK. G. SankarCurrent article313–316Katyayana—The JuristV. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar316–320Katyayana—The GrammarianV. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar320–325The Last Maukhari PrinceBasudeva Upadhyaya326–327Sri-Jivadharapra of the Tipperah Copper-plate Grant of LokanathaDasharatha Sharma328–350Kautalya, Economic Planning and ClimatologyBenoy Kumar Sarkar351–384ReviewsAnanda Kentish Coomaraswamy, Satkari Mookherjree, Mano Mohan Ghosh, Benoy Kumar Sarkar, U. N. Ghoshal, Dhirendra Chandra Ganguly, Chintaharan Chakravarti, Batakrishna Ghosh, Vidhushekhara Bhattacharya, Jagadish Narayan Sarkar385–394Select Contents of Oriental Journals395–398Bibliographical Notes399–400Obituary NoticeL. P. Pandeya Sharma

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